Objective:
Firearms account for more than half of U.S. suicide deaths and nearly two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths. Though men are more likely to use a firearm more than other lethal means, guns account for approximately a third of suicide deaths for women and are the leading method of suicide among female veterans. There is increased recognition that firearms are associated with increased suicide risk, as they are fatal in nine out of ten suicide attempts. However, firearms means safety counseling and safe storage practices are strongly associated with reduced suicide risk. Additionally, there is an association between suicide deaths using a firearm in states with less restrictive gun laws and policies; approximately four times as many women died by suicide using a firearm in Ohio than in New Jersey between 2010 and 20201.
The overall goal of this proposal is to explore the experiences, attitudes, and practices of female gun owners in New Jersey and Ohio– two states with more restrictive and less restrictive gun laws, respectively – in order to inform firearm-specific suicide prevention practices and to reduce the number of lives lost to gun violence. The primary objective of this project is to determine if there are specific features of the experiences, attitudes, and practices of women gun owners in both states that influence safe storage practices. The secondary objective is to explore possible associations among the experiences, attitudes, and practices of women gun owners based on state residency and corresponding firearm laws and policies. By focusing on these objectives, this project will likely confirm previous research on the diverse perspectives of stakeholders and expand upon potential key influences on gun use and safe storage practices from state firearm laws in New Jersey and Ohio, respectively.
Project Status:
In progress
Principal Investigator (PI):
Christina Rosie Bauder, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator (PI):
Craig J Bryan, PsyD ABPP
Amount Awarded:
$39,855